Has Obama Declared War on Christianity?

The old proverb says “It’s not paranoia if everyone is really out to get you.” Over the last few weeks several reports have been released on federal government actions touching on Christian religious practices. These reports have made it difficult to defend the notion that paranoia on the part of some Christian groups isn’t justified, after all.

First the Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had overstepped its bounds in applying secular standards to a minister of religion called to work in a church school. Then the Obama administration decided that health plans provided by Roman Catholic institutions, and which cover non-Catholics, must also cover sterilization and “all FDA approved contraceptives, including those that induce abortion.” And now the Secretary of the Army has instructed – pardon me, ordered – Roman Catholic army chaplains not to read a letter from Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the head of Roman Catholic military chaplaincy.

Lutherans familiar with the Small Catechism may recall Dr. Martin’s explanation of the 8th Commandment, “You shall not bear false witness.” What does this mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor…but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.” Things that presidents do are not exempt. So what is the kinder explanation for this Todd Margaret-like series of actions on the part of the executive branch of the federal government?

Clearly the Obama administration, and others before it, is convinced of the uniqueness of its own moral truth. You might call this the “we’re right, because if we weren’t, we’d be wrong, and we know we aren’t” school of thought. One example is provided by those arguing that marriage should be redefined as two people of any self-identified sex. These folks have framed their argument as a question of “civil rights.” Now, what can be more unamerican than thwarting someone’s civil rights? Unless, of course, they are a terrorist. And then it’s okay. Says me, and I’m right, because if I weren’t, etc. etc. If you really believe this, then you have a moral obligation to stop other people from doing what you know to be wrong. The Obama administration is doing what comes naturally for people convinced of their own moral high ground – imposing it on everyone else.

That is, I believe, the kindest explanation of the actions being taken by the Obama administration. Of course I hold moral views which are in conflict with the executive branch on these particular points, and many Americans share my understanding of the one, objective moral truth. We hold that abortion is the taking of a life, just like murder – which we outlaw – and capital punishment – which we permit in certain cases and states. We also hold that marriage has been held since the beginning of civilization to be between those of opposite sexes, and should remain so. Many not bound by Luther’s perhaps quaint explanation of the 8th commandment may feel no compulsion to explain our beliefs in the kindest way, but that’s life.

So, to quote the old movie, “what we have here is a failure to communicate” – on the highest order. What we have is a situation where two groups within America hold serious, conflicting moral values. And because these values are built on fundamental beliefs – held consciously or unconsciously by both sides – both feel they are values which must be imposed on all and not simply left to one’s own personal preference. I believe the law should have something to say whenever someone’s life is on the line. Others believe that what someone does with their own body (and any other body which happens to be growing in it) should be shielded from government intervention.

I do not believe that Obama is intentionally trying to “wage war” on Christianity. But the actions of his administration have revealed once again the growing divide in our country between two sets of fundamental commitments and the moral values which arise out of them. We are not divided on the level of “mere politics.” This is not Donkey v Elephant. We are divided on the nature of life itself. If we do not recognize that division and begin to discuss it, we will be forever “playing politics.” And we will not have President Obama to blame for that.